2008 Woodie Awards
Video review:
24
Mike Weins
Issue date: 5/9/07 Section: Entertainment
I know the Fox series "24" isn't a movie and movies are what I usually write about, but since it's the end of the year I wanted to do something a little different and review one of my favorite TV shows, "24". Why? Because "24" has a concept that uses cinema verite, which you might guess by reading my previous reviews greatly interests me.
"24" uses the element of cinema verite to sell the idea that each episode takes place in a real time, one hour. Each season is 24 episodes long, making each season a day long. To make it seem like the show actually takes place in 24 hours, the director makes the show a documentary style.
The camera work, lighting and editing all produce the documentary feel. Most of the camera work is done handheld and a lot of the shots pan back and forth during conversations instead of cutting, making it seem like it's actually happening. To make it look like the real world, the lights are set up to create light through windows and realistic shadows, instead of evenly lighting the whole scene like a sitcom. Throughout the show, a split screen effect is used to show that different events are going on at the same time, again, to sell the real time idea to the audience. There is also a clock which pops up every once and a while, but don't expect it to go along with your TV clock, it's usually a minute or two off.
With the real-time concept being pretty interesting the amount of work that the main character Jack Bauer does in one or a couple episodes, I couldn't do in a week. The amount of running around, dodging bullets and killing terrorists he does is a bit unbelievable. Instead of the series taking place in 24 hours, it should take place in 24 days. The episodes are fun to watch, but there's no way anyone could do this much in just one day. They'd be dead or dying from all the stress. When do these people eat? During the commercial breaks?
Alongside the interesting camera work and editing, there is an abundant amount of guest stars. Some include Powers Booth as the Vice President and James Cromwell as Jack Bauer's father, Phillip Bauer. I would have had Donald Sutherland play his father on the show since that's his real father, but I didn't make the show. Each guest star brings in a freshness that keeps the show going.
"24" uses the element of cinema verite to sell the idea that each episode takes place in a real time, one hour. Each season is 24 episodes long, making each season a day long. To make it seem like the show actually takes place in 24 hours, the director makes the show a documentary style.
The camera work, lighting and editing all produce the documentary feel. Most of the camera work is done handheld and a lot of the shots pan back and forth during conversations instead of cutting, making it seem like it's actually happening. To make it look like the real world, the lights are set up to create light through windows and realistic shadows, instead of evenly lighting the whole scene like a sitcom. Throughout the show, a split screen effect is used to show that different events are going on at the same time, again, to sell the real time idea to the audience. There is also a clock which pops up every once and a while, but don't expect it to go along with your TV clock, it's usually a minute or two off.
With the real-time concept being pretty interesting the amount of work that the main character Jack Bauer does in one or a couple episodes, I couldn't do in a week. The amount of running around, dodging bullets and killing terrorists he does is a bit unbelievable. Instead of the series taking place in 24 hours, it should take place in 24 days. The episodes are fun to watch, but there's no way anyone could do this much in just one day. They'd be dead or dying from all the stress. When do these people eat? During the commercial breaks?
Alongside the interesting camera work and editing, there is an abundant amount of guest stars. Some include Powers Booth as the Vice President and James Cromwell as Jack Bauer's father, Phillip Bauer. I would have had Donald Sutherland play his father on the show since that's his real father, but I didn't make the show. Each guest star brings in a freshness that keeps the show going.
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